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Academy has them on sale for $400, was $650. Question: does it have a card slot for maps? If so, what is the best software and how difficult is it to load? This may be too much to ask, but I would like something like Goggle Earth with one foot contours. Your help is appreciated, you guys know your stuff!
I guess not much help here. Apparently I thought wrong.
Hi Randy,
I purchased one after reading the sticky started by crappiepappy on the Lowrance. Bass Pro had them after Thanksgiving for the same price. The unit seems to have more positive than negative points from all I read. There is a slot for a micro SD card on the front. I seem to recall reading that using the maps slowed the processor down. Maybe Lowrance could provide additional info.............
whenyou try it out dont forget to post updates on it i am looking to buy one thanks
If you haven't already read thru my sticky post about this unit :Quote:
Originally Posted by Tracker123
It does have a micro-sd card slot (waterproof) ... and will take Navionics, Lakemaster, or Fishing Hot Spots map cards.
There is also a "update" online, which can be downloaded onto a blank micro SD card, then placed into the unit's card slot for updating. What those updates are, and if they are significant, is beyond me ... as I'm using my unit "as is" (no blank sd card/reader, nor map card has been purchased). Also of note --- you cannot use a micro sd card with more than 2GB memory !!
The micro sd lakes cards run ~ $100
Navionics has around 18,000 lakes mapped, and around 2,500 of them are in the 1' contour increments. Six lakes in Louisiana are included in that 1' contour list. High Definition Lakes | Navionics
(no personal experience with Navionics ... it was just the first brand I remembered, and looked up)
... cp :kewl
Dang, Is the unit outdated or a quality unit that is about to have a new modela?
Thanks - that is the information that I was looking for!
Tracker,
I'm also interested in an an elite 5. I noticed one on fleabay that were supposedly new for $250 with warranty and free shipping. I was leaning toward that, myself.
If you get it, I hope you'll post how you like it. I'd like to see more camera shots of the screen when they show stuff a fisherman would want to see. I'd hate to waste $250 on fishing fuel money if it's just another gadget that's not all that useful.
JBJ
??? Why would you think the unit was "outdated" ??? It's been in production for two years ... and as everyone knows, when it comes to computerized electronics, it only takes about 6 months for something newer/bigger/better to come along. :RoflQuote:
Originally Posted by sharphook
But, seriously ....... it's a model series of its own. The Elite 5DSI is the top of the line in that model series.
Higher end models are already on the market, but they're not the "Elite" series ... they're the HDS Gen 2 series, LSS2 Structurescan, and now the HDS Touch series (touch screen).
... cp :kewl
I hope you're aware that the eBay unit, you're referring to, is ONLY the head unit & base. :Doh: (if you're looking at this one : Lowrance Elite 5 Sonar Fishfinder GPS Receiver Elite 5 042194534886 | eBay )Quote:
Originally Posted by bayoumonster
The unit is also a refurbished unit, and there is no power cord/transducer cord or mounting bracket included. (those will cost ~ $100)
The only major difference I can see, between the Elite 5 and the Elite 5DSI ... is the Elite 5 has 83/200kHz sonar & the Elite 5DSI has 455/800kHz.
... cp :kewl
Crappiepappy, I checked out the link you posted for the Navonics high definition maps. They have it for Toledo bend in 1 foot contours - just what I wanted for fishing ledges, channels, etc. Another question, how close can I zoom in on these maps? Thanks.
Not sure, Randy .... I have only used the internal map, and it will only zoom in to 20' on the chart. But, that's relative to the distance between boat icon & waypoint ... so I'm not sure how the zoom feature would react with a chip map. :donoQuote:
Originally Posted by Tracker123
Are you still following my sticky thread on the E5DSI ... I found a link that gives detailed info on the menu settings : http://www.lowrance.com/Root/Lowranc...-10153-001.pdf
It's the "Operations Manual" (in a pdf file), that should have been included along with the "installation manual" but wasn't :Doh:
... cp :kewl
Thanks for the link - good information.
Just came home with the new unit! I also bought the Navionics map chip for the lakes in the South with 1 foot contours. Yesterday I spoke with a fella at the customer support at Navionics - really knew his stuff. He guided me through their website to look at different things. Like I said before, I like to find humps, ledges, etc. depending upon the time of year. CP, I am sure am glad you posted the link for the operation manual because what came with the unit is pretty pitiful. Thanks for your help, now I will start reading your sticky to learn more.
Question: My friend wants the same unit but has a Lowrance Mark 5 DSI and wants to swap out. Do they both use the same transducer, cable, and mount? Your replies are appreciated, thanks!
:Rofl yeah ... we've already trashed the "manual" that comes with the unit :deadhorse
Reply PM sent .... but, I'll post it here --- yes, it does appear that the E5DSI & Mark 5xDSI use the same power/tdx cable (just a FYI to any other interested party)
... cp :kewl
CP thanks - received your PM. Jason with Lowrance also PM'd and said it will work - good folks here.
I have set up 2 for friends and they ordered theirs from Cabelas with free shipping. Nice little units for the money. Cabela's: Lowrance® Elite-5 DSI Sonar with GPS
Just a FYI .... that "free shipping" is to a Cabela's store, so you'd have to live close enough to one to make the drive there & back be cheaper than paying S/H.Quote:
Originally Posted by ifish
... cp :kewl
Here's an update. A friend and I each bought one of these units online from Gander Mountain for $399 and it did offer free shipping to our door...Unfortunately there is apparently a store somewhere in Georgia so I got stuck with $28 sales tax! :banghead
Fisher-o-Men ... if you haven't already done so, you might want to take a look at the sticky thread on the E5DSI that I started. It's a long, involved read, but contains a lot of good info that may help you get the most out of your new unit. Especially helpful are the charts explaining how the sonar scan is laid out & different from 2d sonar cones, and the various links to the Operations Manual & update page, etc.
... cp :kewl